As the military steps up security,
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has urged fleeing residents of attacked Zabarmari and Hadamari villages, as troops will provide protections against any Boko Haram attacks or bombings on the affected farming and herding communities in the state.
Addressing surviving residents of Zabarmari yesterday at the mosque, Governor Shettima said that the fleeing villagers trooping to Maiduguri to take refuge for safety should however; return to their respective houses.
His words: “Since the military have repelled the insurgents from destroying this village yesterday by Boko Haram, with a minimal death toll of seven, and nine injured persons, the people should not run and flee to Maiduguri for safety, but return to your homes, which were burnt apart from the torched shops and local market.”
He said villagers that have already fled and congregated at the Old Maiduguri resettlement camp, should as matter of urgency to return to Zabarmari and Hadamari villages, as nine buses are at the camp for shuttling the fleeing villagers to their homes.
He also assured the villagers that the state government will rebuild the destroyed shops and market, so that the people could continue with their normal daily activities.
“Meanwhile, I am going with two village heads now along with your councilor to Maiduguri to collect food items and other basic needs of life for distribution. A patrol vehicle will be released to CJTF for this village’s patrol and surveillances,” Shettima assured yesterday.
Briefing the governor on Friday’s attacks, the councilor, Alhaji
Mohammed Bello said that the soldiers have tried their best in
repelling the insurgents that operated from 5.45am to 8.45pm on Friday, before fleeing towards Koshobe village, one of the insurgents’regrouping hideouts in Borno state.
He however said that the soldiers should be re-equipped with modern fighting weapons, because the insurgents’ three-hour attacks could have been nipped in the bud to save people’s lives and property.
